Author: Esther Reed

PRIMARY DOCUMENT

“The Sentiments of an American Woman” (1780)

Esther Reed, the wife of George Washington’s aide-de-camp, Joseph Reed, published this broadside calling for women to organize donations to support the Continental Army and form regional committees to organize this fundraising. Reed founded what became known as the Ladies Association of Philadelphia to support the war effort. Women in Virginia raised more than $100,000 to support Reed’s campaign.